Rotary tiller



April 7, 1943- ,L. A. WITTROCK 2,317,

ROTARY TILLER Filed June 19,- 1941 Patented Apr. 27, 1943 UNITED STATES2 Claims.

This invention relates to a rotary tiller.

It is aimed to provide a relatively simple and efiicient constructioncapable of manufacture at a relatively low figure.

Among the objects are to provide a construction having a frame of novelform and coaction with the tiller members.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the description following taken in connection withaceompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on an enlarged scale on the plane22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional detail taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or similar parts, the machine consists of two sections Aand B, each having a longitudinal beam at In. Both beams I Dareconnected by a horizontal pivot II to a clevis l2, adapted for hitchingof the structure to a tractor or draft means. Each section A and B isadapted for vertical swinging movement in operation independently of theother on the horizontal axis afforded by the pivot ll. Cross beams l3are rigidly connected at 14, one to each beam l3 and each crossbeam hasa generally rearwardly extending extremity l5.

Such extremities l5 have a series of openings l6 therethrough and therear end portions of the beams II! have a series of openings I!therethrough. Tiller gangs C and D are connected by means of suchopenings, selectively, and thereby adjustably so that they may bedisposed at different angles. The gangs are similar and each has amounting bar IS with holes at opposite ends through which detachablebolts I9 are passed and which may also be passed selectively throughadjacent openings l3 and I1 according to the angle desired for themounting bars [8.

In addition, said mounting bars l8, intermediate their ends, are pivotedby means of bolts 20 passing through openings therein, into selectedopenings 2| of series, thus further aiding in the adjustable mountingand angular disposition of the gang bars.

The coulter members are shown at 22 preferably being round andrelatively flat and of any size desired. Such members 22 are sharpenedat their peripheries from opposite sides and intermediate the same havecut-out portions or notches 23 of any desired number. As a result ofsuch a construction, the members 22 are selfsharpening and may bereversed and in operation will leave trash upon the ground and willprovide sub-soil depressions to retain moisture. These tiller members 22are removably fastened for rotation and reversal by means of bolts 24,to brackets or standards 25 having shanks 23 rising therefrom andthrough openings 27 in the bars I8, above which bars they have one ormore nuts 28 secured thereto. In addition, the members 26 below bars I8have adjustment washers 29 surrounding the same, whose meeting faces areinclined or of cam shape as at 30, to facilitate the angular adjustmentand height of operation of the tiller members.

Each section A and B is supported from the ground by a single wheel asat 3|. Each wheel is journaled on a stub axle 32 of a bracket 33 pivotedat 34 adjacent to an auxiliary beam 23a fastened to and extendingrearwardly from the crossbeams l3. An operating lever 35 is pivoted at36 to each auxiliary beam 230 and has a conventional lock mechanism 31coacting with a segment 33 fastened to the adjacent auxiliary beam 23a.Links 33 are pivotally connected at 43 to the brackets 33 and at 4| tothe levers 35, so that through raising and lowering of the levers 35,the elevation of the wheels 3| may be varied or regulated to accordinglycontrol the depth of operation of the associated tiller members 22.

I also provide weights at 42, one on each mounting bar l8 adjacent theinner end, to stabilize operation of the bars I8.

A cross rod 43 is pivotally connected on longitudinal axes by pivotmembers M and brackets 45 to the brackets 33. Such: rod 43 extendsbeneath the beams Ill and in order to permit the relative verticalmovement of the sections A and B without interference by the rod, thelatter preferably has a central deflected portion 43. Rod 43 preventsany tendency of the sections A and B to separate laterally so that thegangs cannot pull away from each other, but can freely move verticallyrelatively to each other with the rod 43 appropriately swinging on itspivots 44.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described having sections, each section havinga longitudinal beam, a hitching member pivotally connected to bothbeams, permitting the latter to move inde beams, permitting the latterto move independently of each other, crossbeams, auxiliary beamsextending rearwardly from the crossbeams, mounting bars, said beamshaving series of openings therethrough, bolts passing through the barsand selected ones of said openings to adjustably mount the bars, tillermeans carried by the bars, adjustable ground engaging wheel means foreach section mounted on the auxiliary beams, a

rod pivoted to both ground engaging wheel means passing under the firstmentioned beams engageable with the latter to support the same.

LOUIS A. WITTROCK.

